1
|
Yang J, Ai S, Zhang BB, Zhang B, Liu ZK, Wang XI, Yang YH, Yin YH, Li Y, Lü HJ. A long-duration gamma-ray burst with a peculiar origin. Nature 2022; 612:232-235. [PMID: 36477130 DOI: 10.1038/s41586-022-05403-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/08/2022] [Accepted: 10/03/2022] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
It is generally believed that long-duration gamma-ray bursts (GRBs) are associated with massive star core collapse1, whereas short-duration GRBs are associated with mergers of compact star binaries2. However, growing observations3-6 have suggested that oddball GRBs do exist, and several criteria (prompt emission properties, supernova/kilonova associations and host galaxy properties) rather than burst duration only are needed to classify GRBs physically7. A previously reported long-duration burst, GRB 060614 (ref. 3), could be viewed as a short GRB with extended emission if it were observed at a larger distance8 and was associated with a kilonova-like feature9. As a result, it belongs to the type I (compact star merger) GRB category and is probably of binary neutron star (NS) merger origin. Here we report a peculiar long-duration burst, GRB 211211A, whose prompt emission properties in many aspects differ from all known type I GRBs, yet its multiband observations suggest a non-massive-star origin. In particular, substantial excess emission in both optical and near-infrared wavelengths has been discovered (see also ref. 10), which resembles kilonova emission, as observed in some type I GRBs. These observations point towards a new progenitor type of GRBs. A scenario invoking a white dwarf (WD)-NS merger with a post-merger magnetar engine provides a self-consistent interpretation for all the observations, including prompt gamma rays, early X-ray afterglow, as well as the engine-fed11,12 kilonova emission.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jun Yang
- School of Astronomy and Space Science, Nanjing University, Nanjing, China.,Key Laboratory of Modern Astronomy and Astrophysics (Nanjing University), Ministry of Education, Nanjing, China
| | - Shunke Ai
- Nevada Center for Astrophysics, University of Nevada, Las Vegas, Las Vegas, NV, USA.,Department of Physics and Astronomy, University of Nevada, Las Vegas, Las Vegas, NV, USA
| | - Bin-Bin Zhang
- School of Astronomy and Space Science, Nanjing University, Nanjing, China. .,Key Laboratory of Modern Astronomy and Astrophysics (Nanjing University), Ministry of Education, Nanjing, China.
| | - Bing Zhang
- Nevada Center for Astrophysics, University of Nevada, Las Vegas, Las Vegas, NV, USA. .,Department of Physics and Astronomy, University of Nevada, Las Vegas, Las Vegas, NV, USA.
| | - Zi-Ke Liu
- School of Astronomy and Space Science, Nanjing University, Nanjing, China.,Key Laboratory of Modern Astronomy and Astrophysics (Nanjing University), Ministry of Education, Nanjing, China
| | - Xiangyu Ivy Wang
- School of Astronomy and Space Science, Nanjing University, Nanjing, China.,Key Laboratory of Modern Astronomy and Astrophysics (Nanjing University), Ministry of Education, Nanjing, China
| | - Yu-Han Yang
- School of Astronomy and Space Science, Nanjing University, Nanjing, China.,Key Laboratory of Modern Astronomy and Astrophysics (Nanjing University), Ministry of Education, Nanjing, China
| | - Yi-Han Yin
- School of Physics, Nanjing University, Nanjing, China
| | - Ye Li
- Purple Mountain Observatory, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Nanjing, China
| | - Hou-Jun Lü
- Guangxi Key Laboratory for Relativistic Astrophysics, School of Physical Science and Technology, Guangxi University, Nanning, China
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Two Classes of Gamma-ray Bursts Distinguished within the First Second of Their Prompt Emission. GALAXIES 2022. [DOI: 10.3390/galaxies10040078] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Studies of Gamma-Ray Burst (GRB) properties, such as duration and spectral hardness, have found evidence for additional classes, beyond the short/hard and long/soft prototypes, using model-dependent methods. In this paper, a model-independent approach was used to analyse the gamma-ray light curves of large samples of GRBs detected by BATSE, Swift/BAT and Fermi/GBM. All the features were extracted from the GRB time profiles in four energy bands using the Stationary Wavelet Transform and Principal Component Analysis. t-distributed Stochastic Neighbourhood Embedding (t-SNE) visualisation of the features revealed two distinct groups of Swift/BAT bursts using the T100 interval with 64 ms resolution data. When the same analysis was applied to 4 ms resolution data, two groups were seen to emerge within the first second (T1) post-trigger. These two groups primarily consisted of short/hard (Group 1) and long/soft (Group 2) bursts, and were 95% consistent with the groups identified using the T100 64 ms resolution data. Kilonova candidates, arising from compact object mergers, were found to belong to Group 1, while those events with associated supernovae fell into Group 2. Differences in cumulative counts between the two groups in the first second, and in the minimum variability timescale, identifiable only with the 4 ms resolution data, may account for this result. Short GRBs have particular significance for multi-messenger science as a distinctive EM signature of a binary merger, which may be discovered by its gravitational wave emissions. Incorporating the T1 interval into classification algorithms may support the rapid classification of GRBs, allowing for an improved prioritisation of targets for follow-up observations.
Collapse
|
3
|
Abstract
It has been observationally established that supernovae (SNe) of Type Ic produce long duration gamma-ray bursts (GRBs) and that neutron star mergers generate short hard GRBs. SN-Less GRBs presumably originate in a phase transition of a neutron star in a high mass X-ray binary. How these phenomena actually generate GRBs is debated. The fireball and cannonball models of GRBs and their afterglows have been widely confronted with the huge observational data, with their defenders claiming success. The claims, however, may reflect multiple choices and the use of many adjustable parameters, rather than the validity of the models. Only a confrontation of key falsifiable predictions of the models with solid observational data can test their validity. Such critical tests are reviewed in this report.
Collapse
|
4
|
Abstract
We review the current scenario of long-duration Gamma-ray burst (LGRB) progenitors, and in addition, present models of massive stars for a mass range of 10–150M⊙ with ΔM=10M⊙ and rotation rate v/vcrit=0 to 0.6 with a velocity resolution Δv/vcrit=0.1. We further discuss possible metallicity and rotation rate distribution from our models that might be preferable for the creation of successful LGRB candidates given the observed LGRB rates and their metallicity evolution. In the current understanding, LGRBs are associated with Type-Ic supernovae (SNe). To establish LGRB-SN correlation, we discuss three observational paths: (i) space-time coincidence, (ii) evidence from photometric light curves of LGRB afterglows and SN Type-Ic, (iii) spectroscopic study of both LGRB afterglow and SN. Superluminous SNe are also believed to have the same origin as LGRBs. Therefore, we discuss constraints on the progenitor parameters that can possibly dissociate these two events from a theoretical perspective. We further discuss the scenario of single star versus binary star as a more probable pathway to create LGRBs. Given the limited parameter space in the mass, mass ratio and separation between the two components in a binary, binary channel is less likely to create LGRBs to match the observed LGRB rate. Despite effectively-single massive stars are fewer in number compared to interacting binaries, their chemically homogeneous evolution (CHE) might be the major channel for LGRB production.
Collapse
|
5
|
|
6
|
Strange Quark Stars in Binaries: Formation Rates, Mergers, and Explosive Phenomena. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2017. [DOI: 10.3847/1538-4357/aa8629] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
|
7
|
Schady P. Gamma-ray bursts and their use as cosmic probes. ROYAL SOCIETY OPEN SCIENCE 2017; 4:170304. [PMID: 28791158 PMCID: PMC5541553 DOI: 10.1098/rsos.170304] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/31/2017] [Accepted: 06/28/2017] [Indexed: 06/07/2023]
Abstract
Since the launch of the highly successful and ongoing Swift mission, the field of gamma-ray bursts (GRBs) has undergone a revolution. The arcsecond GRB localizations available within just a few minutes of the GRB alert has signified the continual sampling of the GRB evolution through the prompt to afterglow phases revealing unexpected flaring and plateau phases, the first detection of a kilonova coincident with a short GRB, and the identification of samples of low-luminosity, ultra-long and highly dust-extinguished GRBs. The increased numbers of GRB afterglows, GRB-supernova detections, redshifts and host galaxy associations has greatly improved our understanding of what produces and powers these immense, cosmological explosions. Nevertheless, more high-quality data often also reveal greater complexity. In this review, I summarize some of the milestones made in GRB research during the Swift era, and how previous widely accepted theoretical models have had to adapt to accommodate the new wealth of observational data.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Patricia Schady
- Max-Planck-Institut für Extraterrestrische Physik, Giessenbachstraße, 85748 Garching, Germany
| |
Collapse
|
8
|
Search for Gravitational Waves Associated with Gamma-Ray Bursts during the First Advanced LIGO Observing Run and Implications for the Origin of GRB 150906B. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2017. [DOI: 10.3847/1538-4357/aa6c47] [Citation(s) in RCA: 46] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
|
9
|
Jin ZP, Hotokezaka K, Li X, Tanaka M, D'Avanzo P, Fan YZ, Covino S, Wei DM, Piran T. The Macronova in GRB 050709 and the GRB-macronova connection. Nat Commun 2016; 7:12898. [PMID: 27659791 PMCID: PMC5036160 DOI: 10.1038/ncomms12898] [Citation(s) in RCA: 125] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/25/2016] [Accepted: 08/12/2016] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
GRB 050709 was the first short Gamma-ray Burst (sGRB) with an identified optical counterpart. Here we report a reanalysis of the publicly available data of this event and the discovery of a Li-Paczynski macronova/kilonova that dominates the optical/infrared signal at t>2.5 days. Such a signal would arise from 0.05 r-process material launched by a compact binary merger. The implied mass ejection supports the suggestion that compact binary mergers are significant and possibly main sites of heavy r-process nucleosynthesis. Furthermore, we have reanalysed all afterglow data from nearby short and hybrid GRBs (shGRBs). A statistical study of shGRB/macronova connection reveals that macronova may have taken place in all these GRBs, although the fraction as low as 0.18 cannot be ruled out. The identification of two of the three macronova candidates in the I-band implies a more promising detection prospect for ground-based surveys. A macronova is a clear signature that a short gamma-ray burst has been emitted by a compact-binary merger, but evidence of these events is so far scarce. Here, the authors report signs of a macronova in the optical afterglow of GRB050709, and find similar evidence in other three short bursts.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Zhi-Ping Jin
- Key Laboratory of Dark Matter and Space Astronomy, Purple Mountain Observatory, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Nanjing 210008, China
| | - Kenta Hotokezaka
- Racah Institute of Physics, The Hebrew University, Jerusalem 91904, Israel
| | - Xiang Li
- Key Laboratory of Dark Matter and Space Astronomy, Purple Mountain Observatory, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Nanjing 210008, China.,University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Yuquan Road 19, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Masaomi Tanaka
- National Astronomical Observatory of Japan, Mitaka, Tokyo 181-8588, Japan
| | - Paolo D'Avanzo
- INAF/Brera Astronomical Observatory, via Bianchi 46, I-23807 Merate (LC), Italy
| | - Yi-Zhong Fan
- Key Laboratory of Dark Matter and Space Astronomy, Purple Mountain Observatory, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Nanjing 210008, China.,Collaborative Innovation Center of Modern Astronomy and Space Exploration, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210046, China
| | - Stefano Covino
- INAF/Brera Astronomical Observatory, via Bianchi 46, I-23807 Merate (LC), Italy
| | - Da-Ming Wei
- Key Laboratory of Dark Matter and Space Astronomy, Purple Mountain Observatory, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Nanjing 210008, China
| | - Tsvi Piran
- Racah Institute of Physics, The Hebrew University, Jerusalem 91904, Israel
| |
Collapse
|
10
|
GRB/GW ASSOCIATION: LONG–SHORT GRB CANDIDATES, TIME LAG, MEASURING GRAVITATIONAL WAVE VELOCITY, AND TESTING EINSTEIN’S EQUIVALENCE PRINCIPLE. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2016. [DOI: 10.3847/0004-637x/827/1/75] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
|
11
|
Jin ZP, Fan YZ, Wei DM. Anr−process macronova/kilonova in GRB 060614: evidence for the merger of a neutron star-black hole binary. EPJ WEB OF CONFERENCES 2016. [DOI: 10.1051/epjconf/201610908002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
|
12
|
Jin ZP, Li X, Cano Z, Covino S, Fan YZ, Wei DM. THE LIGHT CURVE OF THE MACRONOVA ASSOCIATED WITH THE LONG–SHORT BURST GRB 060614. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2015. [DOI: 10.1088/2041-8205/811/2/l22] [Citation(s) in RCA: 126] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022]
|
13
|
Yang B, Jin ZP, Li X, Covino S, Zheng XZ, Hotokezaka K, Fan YZ, Piran T, Wei DM. A possible macronova in the late afterglow of the long-short burst GRB 060614. Nat Commun 2015; 6:7323. [PMID: 26065563 PMCID: PMC4490351 DOI: 10.1038/ncomms8323] [Citation(s) in RCA: 184] [Impact Index Per Article: 20.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/08/2014] [Accepted: 04/27/2015] [Indexed: 11/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Long-duration (>2 s) γ-ray bursts that are believed to originate from the death of massive stars are expected to be accompanied by supernovae. GRB 060614, that lasted 102 s, lacks a supernova-like emission down to very stringent limits and its physical origin is still debated. Here we report the discovery of near-infrared bump that is significantly above the regular decaying afterglow. This red bump is inconsistent with even the weakest known supernova. However, it can arise from a Li-Paczyński macronova—the radioactive decay of debris following a compact binary merger. If this interpretation is correct, GRB 060614 arose from a compact binary merger rather than from the death of a massive star and it was a site of a significant production of heavy r-process elements. The significant ejected mass favours a black hole–neutron star merger but a double neutron star merger cannot be ruled out. The gamma-ray burst GRB 060614 was an unusual astrophysical event whose origins are still unclear. This study re-examines the burst's afterglow data and finds an excess in the spectrum that appears to be consistent with a weak macronova, suggesting that GRB 060614 originated from a compact binary merger.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Bin Yang
- 1] Key Laboratory of Dark Matter and Space Astronomy, Purple Mountain Observatory, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Nanjing 210008, China [2] University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Yuquan Road 19, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Zhi-Ping Jin
- Key Laboratory of Dark Matter and Space Astronomy, Purple Mountain Observatory, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Nanjing 210008, China
| | - Xiang Li
- 1] Key Laboratory of Dark Matter and Space Astronomy, Purple Mountain Observatory, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Nanjing 210008, China [2] University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Yuquan Road 19, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Stefano Covino
- INAF/Brera Astronomical Observatory, via Bianchi 46, I-23807 Merate, Italy
| | - Xian-Zhong Zheng
- Key Laboratory of Dark Matter and Space Astronomy, Purple Mountain Observatory, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Nanjing 210008, China
| | - Kenta Hotokezaka
- Racah Institute of Physics, The Hebrew University, Jerusalem 91904, Israel
| | - Yi-Zhong Fan
- 1] Key Laboratory of Dark Matter and Space Astronomy, Purple Mountain Observatory, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Nanjing 210008, China [2] Collaborative Innovation Center of Modern Astronomy and Space Exploration, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210046, China
| | - Tsvi Piran
- Racah Institute of Physics, The Hebrew University, Jerusalem 91904, Israel
| | - Da-Ming Wei
- Key Laboratory of Dark Matter and Space Astronomy, Purple Mountain Observatory, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Nanjing 210008, China
| |
Collapse
|
14
|
Hjorth J. The supernova-gamma-ray burst-jet connection. PHILOSOPHICAL TRANSACTIONS. SERIES A, MATHEMATICAL, PHYSICAL, AND ENGINEERING SCIENCES 2013; 371:20120275. [PMID: 23630379 DOI: 10.1098/rsta.2012.0275] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/02/2023]
Abstract
The observed association between supernovae and gamma-ray bursts represents a cornerstone in our understanding of the nature of gamma-ray bursts. The collapsar model provides a theoretical framework for this connection. A key element is the launch of a bipolar jet (seen as a gamma-ray burst). The resulting hot cocoon disrupts the star, whereas the (56)Ni produced gives rise to radioactive heating of the ejecta, seen as a supernova. In this discussion paper, I summarize the observational status of the supernova-gamma-ray burst connection in the context of the 'engine' picture of jet-driven supernovae and highlight SN 2012bz/GRB 120422A--with its luminous supernova but intermediate high-energy luminosity--as a possible transition object between low-luminosity and jet gamma-ray bursts. The jet channel for supernova explosions may provide new insights into supernova explosions in general.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jens Hjorth
- Dark Cosmology Centre, Niels Bohr Institute, University of Copenhagen, Juliane Maries Vej 30, 2100 Copenhagen Ø, Denmark.
| |
Collapse
|
15
|
Gehrels N, Cannizzo JK. High-energy transients. PHILOSOPHICAL TRANSACTIONS. SERIES A, MATHEMATICAL, PHYSICAL, AND ENGINEERING SCIENCES 2013; 371:20120270. [PMID: 23630376 DOI: 10.1098/rsta.2012.0270] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/02/2023]
Abstract
We present an overview of high-energy transients in astrophysics, highlighting important advances over the past 50 years. We begin with early discoveries of γ-ray transients, and then delve into physical details associated with a variety of phenomena. We discuss some of the unexpected transients found by Fermi and Swift, many of which are not easily classifiable or in some way challenge conventional wisdom. These objects are important insofar as they underscore the necessity of future, more detailed studies.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Neil Gehrels
- Astroparticle Physics Division, NASA/Goddard Space Flight Center, Greenbelt, MD 20771, USA.
| | | |
Collapse
|
16
|
Lü HJ, Liang EW, Zhang BB, Zhang B. A NEW CLASSIFICATION METHOD FOR GAMMA-RAY BURSTS. THE ASTROPHYSICAL JOURNAL 2010; 725:1965-1970. [DOI: 10.1088/0004-637x/725/2/1965] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 09/01/2023]
|
17
|
Valenti S, Pastorello A, Cappellaro E, Benetti S, Mazzali PA, Manteca J, Taubenberger S, Elias-Rosa N, Ferrando R, Harutyunyan A, Hentunen VP, Nissinen M, Pian E, Turatto M, Zampieri L, Smartt SJ. A low-energy core-collapse supernova without a hydrogen envelope. Nature 2009; 459:674-7. [PMID: 19494909 DOI: 10.1038/nature08023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 144] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/12/2009] [Accepted: 03/24/2009] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
|
18
|
Starling RLC. The Swift satellite lives up to its name, revealing cosmic explosions as they happen. PHILOSOPHICAL TRANSACTIONS. SERIES A, MATHEMATICAL, PHYSICAL, AND ENGINEERING SCIENCES 2008; 366:4393-4404. [PMID: 18812306 DOI: 10.1098/rsta.2008.0153] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/26/2023]
Abstract
Gamma-ray bursts are the most powerful objects in the Universe. Discovered in the 1960s as brief flashes of gamma radiation, we now know that they emit across the entire electromagnetic spectrum, are located in distant galaxies and comprise two distinct populations, one of which may originate in the deaths of massive stars. The launch of the Swift satellite in 2004 brought a flurry of new discoveries, advancing our understanding of these sources and the galaxies that host them. I highlight a number of important results from the Swift era thus far.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Rhaana L C Starling
- Department of Physics and Astronomy, University of Leicester, Leicester, UK.
| |
Collapse
|
19
|
Troja E, King AR, O'Brien PT, Lyons N, Cusumano G. Different progenitors of short hard gamma-ray bursts. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2008. [DOI: 10.1111/j.1745-3933.2007.00421.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 90] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
|
20
|
Liang E, Zhang B, Zhang B. A Comprehensive Analysis of SwiftXRT Data. II. Diverse Physical Origins of the Shallow Decay Segment. THE ASTROPHYSICAL JOURNAL 2007; 670:565-583. [DOI: 10.1086/521870] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 09/01/2023]
|
21
|
Gehrels N. Swift observations of gamma-ray bursts. PHILOSOPHICAL TRANSACTIONS. SERIES A, MATHEMATICAL, PHYSICAL, AND ENGINEERING SCIENCES 2007; 365:1119-28. [PMID: 17293335 DOI: 10.1098/rsta.2006.1975] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/13/2023]
Abstract
Since its launch on 20 November 2004, the Swift mission has been detecting approximately 100 gamma-ray bursts (GRBs) each year, and immediately (within approx. 90s) starting simultaneous X-ray and UV/optical observations of the afterglow. It has already collected an impressive database, including prompt emission to higher sensitivities than BATSE, uniform monitoring of afterglows and a rapid follow-up by other observatories notified through the GCN. Advances in our understanding of short GRBs have been spectacular. The detection of X-ray afterglows has led to accurate localizations and the conclusion that short GRBs can occur in non-star-forming galaxies or regions, whereas long GRBs are strongly concentrated within the star-forming regions. This is consistent with the NS merger model. Swift has greatly increased the redshift range of GRB detection. The highest redshift GRBs, at z approximately 5-6, are approaching the era of reionization. Ground-based deep optical spectroscopy of high redshift bursts is giving metallicity measurements and other information on the source environment to a much greater distance than other techniques. The localization of GRB 060218 to a nearby galaxy, and the association with SN 2006aj, added a valuable member to the class of GRBs with detected supernova.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Neil Gehrels
- NASA/Goddard Space Flight Center, Greenbelt, MD 20771, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
22
|
Fox DB, Roming PWA. Observations of short gamma-ray bursts. PHILOSOPHICAL TRANSACTIONS. SERIES A, MATHEMATICAL, PHYSICAL, AND ENGINEERING SCIENCES 2007; 365:1293-305. [PMID: 17293336 DOI: 10.1098/rsta.2006.1974] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/13/2023]
Abstract
We review recent observations of short-hard gamma-ray bursts and their afterglows. The launch and successful ongoing operations of the Swift satellite, along with several localizations from the High-Energy Transient Explorer mission, have provoked a revolution in short-burst studies: first, by quickly providing high-quality positions to observers; and second, via rapid and sustained observations from the Swift satellite itself. We make a complete accounting of Swift-era short-burst localizations and proposed host galaxies, and discuss the implications of these observations for the distances, energetics and environments of short bursts, and the nature of their progenitors. We then review the physical modelling of short-burst afterglows: while the simplest afterglow models are inadequate to explain the observations, there have been several notable successes. Finally, we address the case of an unusual burst that threatens to upset the simple picture in which long bursts are due to the deaths of massive stars, and short bursts to compact-object merger events.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Derek B Fox
- Department of Astronomy and Astrophysics, Pennsylvania State University, 525 Davey Laboratory, University Park, PA 16802, USA.
| | | |
Collapse
|
23
|
Watson D, Fynbo JPU, Thöne CC, Sollerman J. No supernovae detected in two long-duration gamma-ray bursts. PHILOSOPHICAL TRANSACTIONS. SERIES A, MATHEMATICAL, PHYSICAL, AND ENGINEERING SCIENCES 2007; 365:1269-75. [PMID: 17296596 DOI: 10.1098/rsta.2006.1994] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/13/2023]
Abstract
There is strong evidence that long-duration gamma-ray bursts (GRBs) are produced during the collapse of a massive star. In the standard version of the collapsar model, a broad-lined and luminous Type Ic core-collapse supernova (SN) accompanies the GRB. This association has been confirmed in observations of several nearby GRBs. Recent observations show that some long-duration GRBs are different. No SN emission accompanied the long-duration GRBs 060505 and 060614 down to limits fainter than any known Type Ic SN and hundreds of times fainter than the archetypal SN 1998bw that accompanied GRB 980425. Multi-band observations of the early afterglows, as well as spectroscopy of the host galaxies, exclude the possibility of significant dust obscuration. Furthermore, the bursts originated in star-forming galaxies, and in the case of GRB 060505, the burst was localized to a compact star-forming knot in a spiral arm of its host galaxy. We find that the properties of the host galaxies, the long duration of the bursts and, in the case of GRB 060505, the location of the burst within its host, all imply a massive stellar origin. The absence of an SN to such deep limits therefore suggests a new phenomenological type of massive stellar death.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- D Watson
- Dark Cosmology Centre, Niels Bohr Institute, University of Copenhagen, Juliane Maries Vej 30, 2100 Copenhagen Ø, Denmark.
| | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
24
|
|
25
|
Della Valle M, Chincarini G, Panagia N, Tagliaferri G, Malesani D, Testa V, Fugazza D, Campana S, Covino S, Mangano V, Antonelli LA, D'Avanzo P, Hurley K, Mirabel IF, Pellizza LJ, Piranomonte S, Stella L. An enigmatic long-lasting γ-ray burst not accompanied by a bright supernova. Nature 2006; 444:1050-2. [PMID: 17183317 DOI: 10.1038/nature05374] [Citation(s) in RCA: 299] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/09/2006] [Accepted: 10/25/2006] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
Gamma-ray bursts (GRBs) are short, intense flashes of soft gamma-rays coming from the distant Universe. Long-duration GRBs (those lasting more than approximately 2 s) are believed to originate from the deaths of massive stars, mainly on the basis of a handful of solid associations between GRBs and supernovae. GRB 060614, one of the closest GRBs discovered, consisted of a 5-s hard spike followed by softer, brighter emission that lasted for approximately 100 s (refs 8, 9). Here we report deep optical observations of GRB 060614 showing no emerging supernova with absolute visual magnitude brighter than M(V) = -13.7. Any supernova associated with GRB 060614 was therefore at least 100 times fainter, at optical wavelengths, than the other supernovae associated with GRBs. This demonstrates that some long-lasting GRBs can either be associated with a very faint supernova or produced by different phenomena.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- M Della Valle
- INAF, Osservatorio Astrofisico di Arcetri, largo E. Fermi 5, I-50125 Firenze, Italy.
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
26
|
Gal-Yam A, Fox DB, Price PA, Ofek EO, Davis MR, Leonard DC, Soderberg AM, Schmidt BP, Lewis KM, Peterson BA, Kulkarni SR, Berger E, Cenko SB, Sari R, Sharon K, Frail D, Moon DS, Brown PJ, Cucchiara A, Harrison F, Piran T, Persson SE, McCarthy PJ, Penprase BE, Chevalier RA, MacFadyen AI. A novel explosive process is required for the γ-ray burst GRB 060614. Nature 2006; 444:1053-5. [PMID: 17183318 DOI: 10.1038/nature05373] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/11/2006] [Accepted: 10/20/2006] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Abstract
Over the past decade, our physical understanding of gamma-ray bursts (GRBs) has progressed rapidly, thanks to the discovery and observation of their long-lived afterglow emission. Long-duration (> 2 s) GRBs are associated with the explosive deaths of massive stars ('collapsars', ref. 1), which produce accompanying supernovae; the short-duration (< or = 2 s) GRBs have a different origin, which has been argued to be the merger of two compact objects. Here we report optical observations of GRB 060614 (duration approximately 100 s, ref. 10) that rule out the presence of an associated supernova. This would seem to require a new explosive process: either a massive collapsar that powers a GRB without any associated supernova, or a new type of 'engine', as long-lived as the collapsar but without a massive star. We also show that the properties of the host galaxy (redshift z = 0.125) distinguish it from other long-duration GRB hosts and suggest that an entirely new type of GRB progenitor may be required.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- A Gal-Yam
- Division of Physics, Mathematics and Astronomy, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, California 91125, USA.
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|